Dogs Seized In Canton Are Available For Adoption

Woman Surrendered 40 Dogs

CANTON — — The 40 dogs found in a Center Street apartment are available for adoption after the owner surrendered them on Thursday, according to the animal control officer.

Jessica Yazmer, 28, of 14 Center St. was charged with cruelty to animals on Tuesday after police found 36 dogs in her apartment. Police eventually found a total of 40 dogs.

The Simon Foundation in Bloomfield will be housing the 21 adult dogs, animal control officer Beverly LaPlume said. The puppies will remain at Roaring Brook Kennels in Canton.

Both facilities will board the dogs for free and take care of their veterinary care, LaPlume said.

Police responded to 14 Center St. after a neighbor called them and said it sounded like dogs were fighting in the house.

LaPlume said Yazmer pulled up with four dogs in her car after LaPlume arrived. Yazmer told LaPlume there were 10 dogs inside.

"When I walked in I saw at least 12 dogs, I heard two more in the back," LaPlume said.

LaPlume found three cages in the basement with five or six puppies in each cage and feces one or two inches thick, she said.

"None of these dogs had food or water," she said.

LaPlume brought the dogs, which include beagles, Australian shepherds, pit bulls and a golden retriever, to Cherry Brook Kennels and Roaring Brook Kennels, both in Canton.

LaPlume said the situation was the worst one she's seen as an animal control officer.

"There were feces all over the floor, window screens ripped out, black flies and other bugs," she said. Police also believe there are three cats still in the house.

The Canton building department deemed the apartment "unsafe for human occupancy or use" on Wednesday afternoon, according to a sign posted on the door.

"I'd love to see people in the community step up and adopt some of these dogs," said Police Chief Christopher Arciero.

Yazmer is listed on http://www.adoptapet.com as the contact person for RT Rescue, which bills itself as a Collinsville-based organization that rescues dogs from high-kill shelters in the South.

Yazmer is scheduled to appear at Hartford Community Court on July 20.

Those interested in adopting one of the adult dogs can contact the Simon Foundation at 860-519-1516. For a puppy, contact either Roaring Brook Kennels at 860-693-0214 or Beverly LaPlume at 860-409-4205.